'Peanuts,' God's Eye and fun at summer camp

SOUTH BEND -- They say the most important thing about summer camp is to have fun.

And that’s exactly what 20 or so kids had at the summer camp at St. Joseph’s High School.

The campers were permitted to take classes: ceramics, computer graphics, photography and drama.

On the last day of the camp they presented a play featuring characters from the “Peanuts” comic strip.

Fifteen students in grades four through eight played the roles of Lucy, Linus, Snoopy, Charlie Brown, Schroeder and others.

“It was really fun playing Snoopy,” said Ellie Kostielney-Hurley, 10. “He is so cool and an exciting character. I think he is the best.”

Director Doug Miller said they had only a little time to get the play together.

“I was working hard to get it all memorized,” said Grace Gableziewski, 13, an eighth-grader from Christ the King.

“I really loved playing Charlie Brown, and my favorite part was the happiness part,” she said.

Miller said they did a great job given that they had just seven hours to practice.

“This is my fifth year of doing plays in the summer, and I never get tired of doing them,” he said.

Along with drama, the children got to experience art.

“Right now they are making God’s Eye with twigs they collected outside,” said Kristine Alter. “I really enjoy working with the students because I teach social studies during the (school) year, so teaching art in the summer is great fun.”

The students also made to films, pin hole photos and digital animation. All this kept them busy the entire week.

And, of course, some of the fun came from being with the people at the camp.

“It was great hanging around with all my friends.” said 13-year-old MaryKatherine Klaybor.